Abstract
AimTo investigate whether there is a sex difference in exercise induced muscle damage.Materials and MethodVastus Lateralis and patella tendon properties were measured in males and females using ultrasonography. During maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions (12 reps x 6 sets), Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening and maximal voluntary eccentric knee extensions torque were recorded every 10° of knee joint angle (20–90°). Isometric torque, Creatine Kinase and muscle soreness were measured pre, post, 48, 96 and 168 hours post damage as markers of exercise induced muscle damage.ResultsPatella tendon stiffness and Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening were significantly higher in males compared to females (p<0.05). There was no sex difference in isometric torque loss and muscle soreness post exercise induced muscle damage (p>0.05). Creatine Kinase levels post exercise induced muscle damage were higher in males compared to females (p<0.05), and remained higher when maximal voluntary eccentric knee extension torque, relative to estimated quadriceps anatomical cross sectional area, was taken as a covariate (p<0.05).ConclusionBased on isometric torque loss, there is no sex difference in exercise induced muscle damage. The higher Creatine Kinase in males could not be explained by differences in maximal voluntary eccentric knee extension torque, Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening and patella tendon stiffness. Further research is required to understand the significant sex differences in Creatine Kinase levels following exercise induced muscle damage.
Highlights
It is well established that unaccustomed eccentric exercise causes exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD)
Patella tendon stiffness and Vastus Lateralis fascicle lengthening were significantly higher in males compared to females (p
Creatine Kinase levels post exercise induced muscle damage were higher in males compared to females (p
Summary
It is well established that unaccustomed eccentric exercise causes exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD). The degree of EIMD has been quantified using both direct (e.g. muscle biopsies) and indirect techniques [3,4]. EIMD is reported to be significantly higher in males compared to females [5]. In support of no sex difference in EIMD, Stupka, Lowther (12) showed that following repeated maximal leg press and leg extensions, there were similar amounts of Z-line streaming and CK between males and females. Joyce, Sabapathy (9) and Sewright, Hubal (7) reported CK to be significantly higher in males compared to females following a high volume of eccentric contractions. Following a 30 minute single leg eccentric step exercise protocol, Fredsted, Clausen (10) reported CK and maximal torque loss to be significantly lower in males compared to females. The aforementioned discrepancies may be attributed to differences in exercise volume [15] and/or different muscle architecture and tendon properties, for example in the elbow flexors compared to the knee extensors [16]
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